Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-05-13
POWER OF COUNCILS.

Editor Register In a recent commune
cation we showed that the function of
councils, as set up by Congregationalists.
is simply that of ddrice. In this may
very properly be included assistance, or
action proceeding from advice, as in the
ordination or ceremony of installation of
minister We will now undertake briefly
to show the source and nature of the
p0,rer of councils.
|. The power of councils does not pro-
coed from the churches in need of advice
by virtue of letterS-missive. IetterS-mis-
sive are simply letters of invitation to
churches, and sometimes individuals, to
convene at a specified time, in a specified
place, TO consider Il particular or specified
subiect-matter. The church calling a
council (if, as in the New Haven case, it
be Il church, by concurrent action of the
church organization, the society and the
pastor invites other churches (and individ-
uals), by their representatives, to sit, not
on them, but ,ruh them. to consider.
Those representatives come together with
just the power of their respective churches,
nothing more. The church inviting by
its invitation confers absolutely nothing
and does nothing except to make coun-
ell possible. 1t calls a council into eXis-
tence. if one chooses to exist. 1t has the
power of invitation, the power of polite,
courteous, friendly call. That
call is based upon the doctrine of the sub
stantial fellowship OF the churches, which
doctrine distinguishes Congregationalists
from Independents. The usage of the
denomination, based upon good sense, or
respect for orderly procedure, requires
that an invitation shall be in all respects
genuine. and us to time, place and subject
matter, specific The usage of the denomi-
nation requires that the council If it chOOS
es to come into existence, shall confine its
attention at the specified time and place
to the specified subject-matter. The funda-
mental principle, that no church can die
tate any action TO any other church or
number of churches, must be observed.
The church inviting can surrender none
of its functions. should there be an offer
of surrender they cannot be taken by
other churches as churches unrepresented
in council, or by their representatives
convened in accordance with an invita-
tation to sit. The church inviting can
set up no action or form of action before
hand for other churches called into coun- F.
ell: the churches invited can set up no
action or form of action beforehand for
the church inviting. The council must
be free; the church must be free.
,. The power of councils is Just simply ,
the power of the churches acting by thcirf
representatives in council or the power of
combined intelligence, wisdom, petv,
self-respect. desire to promote the public
good, love of peace and harmony in all
our church affairs. The power is support
ed by the vote of the churches represent
ed and should be by their prayers also
The power is in the men composing the .
council acting as wise Christians. aS intel
ligent. far-seeing, jlldicious Congregations
alists.
3. The power resident in councils not
only does not proceed from the church or
churches inviting other churches to sit .
with them, by virtue of any content or
all the contents of the letter or letters
mi>>ve the power not only does proceed /
from the churches represented in council .
and becomes naturally inherent in the
body of representatives organized to con-
slider and give advice: but it has the
nature of deliberation and discrimination.
The council at New Haven. for instance.
in all but the person of its moderator.
said. this form of letter-misSive saws:
ITO consider such resignation (Rev. Mr..
Sargent's) and matters connected there /
with That is the subect-matter. to
which. by Congregational principle. we
are restricted. 1t also says: And if
Judged eXpedient, to pronounce this pas
toral relation dissolved" That is form
ula or suggestion ul1erlng somewhat ,
from the usual one-''and advise us in
the premises" only formula of
suggestion. 1t is not, it cannot be. sub
ject-matter 1t cannot compel our ac-
ton, for our action cannot be compelled.
Were we to think the Dastorate ought to
be dissolved. or to vote that we deem it
expedient that the pastorate should be
dissolved, we cannot dissolve the pastor
ate, for Congregational usage and civil
decisions do not make US a court, give us
no iuridical authority Our business is, |
''to consider this resignation. and mat
tiers connected herewith and reach ac-
ton appropriate, or having due respect
to our function Such conduct showed
elaboration and discrimination. From
deliberation and discrimination good re-